Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-16
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The first table below shows changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables show changes in the population of the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over the same period.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 4.0)
The first table below shows changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables show changes in the population of the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over the same period. The first table shows population and year change in the New York city. In 1800 A.D. population is 79216 in New York whereas in Manhatan population is 76% of total population.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 3.0
The response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which severely impacts the score. Because the writing stops after only 76 words, it fails to provide a comprehensive summary of the data provided in the three tables. It only touches upon the initial figures for 1800 and does not report on the trends, comparisons, or the significant changes that occurred over the 200-year period. To achieve a higher band, you must describe the overall trends, highlight key features, and ensure all parts of the prompt are addressed with sufficient detail.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0
The response is too short to demonstrate a clear logical progression or effective paragraphing. While the sentences are grammatically linked, there is no overall structure to the response. The use of cohesive devices is minimal, and the text lacks the necessary organization to guide the reader through the data. To improve, you should structure your report with an introduction, an overview of the main trends, and body paragraphs that group data logically, using linking words to connect your ideas.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.0
The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'The first table shows' are used twice, which is unnecessary. There is no attempt to use a range of vocabulary to describe trends (e.g., 'fluctuated', 'surpassed', 'dramatic increase'). The spelling of 'Manhatan' is incorrect. To improve, you need to expand your range of vocabulary to include specific terms for describing data, such as 'proportion', 'significant growth', and 'decline', and ensure accurate spelling throughout your work.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
The response contains several grammatical errors. For example, 'population is 79216' should be 'the population was 79,216' to reflect past tense and proper article usage. The sentence 'population and year change in the New York city' is awkward and lacks a verb. The range of structures is very limited, consisting only of simple sentences. To improve, you should practice using a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences, and pay closer attention to verb tenses and articles when discussing historical data.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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